Mr. Clark's 2008/2009 Survival Guide What to Expect:
Fear. Pain. Horror. Tears. Mic Jagger.Just kidding=) Mr. Clark’s 6th Grade Language Arts class is designed around your needs, interests, abilities, ideas, likes, and dislikes as a 6th grader in 2008 America. My expectations are high, and I always ask for your very best, but in exchange, I promise to make each lesson and assignment as engaging and exciting as possible. We are going to have a lot of fun and do some exciting things. My lessons and ideas are designed around you and your needs, and as long as we can agree to be open and work hard for one another, we are going to have an excellent year together. Quick Tips for Success: 1.ASK QUESTIONS!There is no such thing as a “stupid” or unnecessary question. If you do not understand something, I am here to help you. I promise you are NEVER the only one who is confused. (This is especially true if I am trying to explain something before I’ve had coffee.) Always, always, always, ask me questions! 2.STAY ORGANIZED! If you need help keeping up with assignments or notes, come see me before or after class, and I will help. Or, ask your advisor during advisee time. 3.BE A SELF-ADVOCATE! In my class, I am here to help and assist you in everyway I can, but ultimately, you are responsible for your own learning. Below I have listed a few of the many resources available to you. Use these to help guide and enhance your understanding. 4.DON’T JUST GET ‘ER’ DONE! I understand the temptation to just “get through” some assignments and not worry about your overall understanding of the concept or the quality of the finished product; ultimately, however, the time you save in the short-term will come back to haunt you. Always give 100% and understand that the point of an assignment is not to get it done, but instead, it is designed to help develop an understanding. Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. - Henry David Thoreau The Essentials: Reading Rocks – This year you will always have a choice in regards to what you read. Though your choices will be limited to a group of novels I have selected, I use these titles because I think they represent a wide range of interests and challenges. I know some of you may not love reading, all the works we will examine are about young people dealing with the same issues and concerns that you face in your life. Writing – The only way to improve and grow as a writer is to practice, practice, and practice! For this reason, we will have a number of writing assignments both formal and informal. When writing, it is important to remember that quality is much more important than length or speed. In order to ensure that we are learning and improving, students may be asked to revise a draft multiple times – with the help and guidance of Mr. Clark- before it is turned in for a final grade.
Class Resources: 1.MR. CLARK – Remember, I am your #1 resource and advocate this year. Always come to me with your questions and concerns. If I cannot give you an answer, I can always lead you in the correct direction. 2.THE CLASS WIKI – The class wiki is a great place for both students and parents to find resources and direction. Further, it will be an integral part of many of our lessons and projects. Check it out at: http://magicalmysterytour.wikispaces.com 3.YOUR ADVISOR – Everyday you will have an opportunity to meet with your assigned advisor. Even if it is not Mr. Clark, that teacher is there to help you and ensure your success. Please take advantage of this resource as they can help you stay on track and organized. 4.YOUR BRAIN – You are all intelligent, resourceful young people! You are your best resource! Basic Guidelines for Survival: 1.SSHH! – Please do not talk while I or someone else is talking. It is rude and drives me to the point of absolute insanity. 2.R-E-S-P-E-C-T! FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO ME! – Please remember that we must respect each other’s opinions and beliefs at all times. Even if we are faced with a viewpoint that is contradictory to our own, we must appreciate the diversity of ideas that makes up our community. 3.BE PREPARED! – Please come to class everyday with all of the necessary materials and a positive attitude. 4.ENJOY! – Remember, Language Arts is more than just commas and dangling participles. It is a subject dedicated to understanding and expressing all the emotions and experiences that make up a life. We do not learn to write just to fill up paper; we are learning instead how to best express your ideas, opinions, thoughts, and beliefs. And, we do not read literature because I want to torture you; we read to better understand how to live our lives and appreciate the people around us. And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consolations; they’re quite aware what they are going through. - David Bowie
Homework: Hoorah!: Homework will be assigned for the entire week on Monday. Dates and reminders will all be posted on my class webpage and in the classroom. Most homework assignments will be completed over several days, and students will be responsible for budgeting their time appropriately. During class and advisee time, we will review and practice strategies to help with time management and other ways to organize your work load. Grades and Assessments: Final grades are important and are meant to be a reflection of what you learned and the effort you put in over a period of time. However, the information and skills you acquire are what is most important. I recommend worrying less about your grades and instead constantly ask yourself if you are giving 100%. If you are giving your full effort, that is all anyone can ask of you. Grades will be divided and weighted under the following categories: Papers & Projects Classwork & Quizzes Participation & Homework
Late Work & Absences: Late/Missing Assignments If a student fails to turn in a daily/homework assignment on the assigned date, a zero will automatically be recorded. He or she then has two days to turn in their work and will receive a 25pt reduction. After two days, the maximum grade a student can receive is a 50. Not turning in an assignment is not an option. Projects and major papers will receive a 10pt deduction for every day that they are late. The maximum point reduction a student can receive for an assignment of this nature is 50%.
Absences/Make Up Work In the event of an unexpected absence, with the help of their advisor, students need to meet with each teacher to generate a list of missing assignments and alternate due dates.
Mr. Clark's 2008/2009 Survival Guide
What to Expect:
Fear. Pain. Horror. Tears. Mic Jagger. Just kidding=) Mr. Clark’s 6th Grade Language Arts class is designed around your needs, interests, abilities, ideas, likes, and dislikes as a 6th grader in 2008 America. My expectations are high, and I always ask for your very best, but in exchange, I promise to make each lesson and assignment as engaging and exciting as possible. We are going to have a lot of fun and do some exciting things. My lessons and ideas are designed around you and your needs, and as long as we can agree to be open and work hard for one another, we are going to have an excellent year together.
Quick Tips for Success:
1. ASK QUESTIONS! There is no such thing as a “stupid” or unnecessary question. If you do not understand something, I am here to help you. I promise you are NEVER the only one who is confused. (This is especially true if I am trying to explain something before I’ve had coffee.) Always, always, always, ask me questions!
2. STAY ORGANIZED! If you need help keeping up with assignments or notes, come see me before or after class, and I will help. Or, ask your advisor during advisee time.
3. BE A SELF-ADVOCATE! In my class, I am here to help and assist you in everyway I can, but ultimately, you are responsible for your own learning. Below I have listed a few of the many resources available to you. Use these to help guide and enhance your understanding.
4. DON’T JUST GET ‘ER’ DONE! I understand the temptation to just “get through” some assignments and not worry about your overall understanding of the concept or the quality of the finished product; ultimately, however, the time you save in the short-term will come back to haunt you. Always give 100% and understand that the point of an assignment is not to get it done, but instead, it is designed to help develop an understanding.
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
- Henry David Thoreau
The Essentials:
Reading Rocks – This year you will always have a choice in regards to what you read. Though your choices will be limited to a group of novels I have selected, I use these titles because I think they represent a wide range of interests and challenges. I know some of you may not love reading, all the works we will examine are about young people dealing with the same issues and concerns that you face in your life.
Writing – The only way to improve and grow as a writer is to practice, practice, and practice! For this reason, we will have a number of writing assignments both formal and informal. When writing, it is important to remember that quality is much more important than length or speed. In order to ensure that we are learning and improving, students may be asked to revise a draft multiple times – with the help and guidance of Mr. Clark - before it is turned in for a final grade.
Class Resources:
1. MR. CLARK – Remember, I am your #1 resource and advocate this year. Always come to me with your questions and concerns. If I cannot give you an answer, I can always lead you in the correct direction.
2. THE CLASS WIKI – The class wiki is a great place for both students and parents to find resources and direction. Further, it will be an integral part of many of our lessons and projects. Check it out at: http://magicalmysterytour.wikispaces.com
3. YOUR ADVISOR – Everyday you will have an opportunity to meet with your assigned advisor. Even if it is not Mr. Clark, that teacher is there to help you and ensure your success. Please take advantage of this resource as they can help you stay on track and organized.
4. YOUR BRAIN – You are all intelligent, resourceful young people! You are your best resource!
Basic Guidelines for Survival:
1. SSHH! – Please do not talk while I or someone else is talking. It is rude and drives me to the point of absolute insanity.
2. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO ME! – Please remember that we must respect each other’s opinions and beliefs at all times. Even if we are faced with a viewpoint that is contradictory to our own, we must appreciate the diversity of ideas that makes up our community.
3. BE PREPARED! – Please come to class everyday with all of the necessary materials and a positive attitude.
4. ENJOY! – Remember, Language Arts is more than just commas and dangling participles. It is a subject dedicated to understanding and expressing all the emotions and experiences that make up a life. We do not learn to write just to fill up paper; we are learning instead how to best express your ideas, opinions, thoughts, and beliefs. And, we do not read literature because I want to torture you; we read to better understand how to live our lives and appreciate the people around us.
And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consolations; they’re quite aware what they are going through.
- David Bowie
Homework: Hoorah!:
Homework will be assigned for the entire week on Monday. Dates and reminders will all be posted on my class webpage and in the classroom. Most homework assignments will be completed over several days, and students will be responsible for budgeting their time appropriately. During class and advisee time, we will review and practice strategies to help with time management and other ways to organize your work load.
Grades and Assessments:
Final grades are important and are meant to be a reflection of what you learned and the effort you put in over a period of time. However, the information and skills you acquire are what is most important. I recommend worrying less about your grades and instead constantly ask yourself if you are giving 100%. If you are giving your full effort, that is all anyone can ask of you.
Grades will be divided and weighted under the following categories:
Papers & Projects
Classwork & Quizzes
Participation & Homework
Late Work & Absences:
Late/Missing Assignments
If a student fails to turn in a daily/homework assignment on the assigned date, a zero will automatically be recorded. He or she then has two days to turn in their work and will receive a 25pt reduction. After two days, the maximum grade a student can receive is a 50. Not turning in an assignment is not an option.
Projects and major papers will receive a 10pt deduction for every day that they are late. The maximum point reduction a student can receive for an assignment of this nature is 50%.
Absences/Make Up Work
In the event of an unexpected absence, with the help of their advisor, students need to meet with each teacher to generate a list of missing assignments and alternate due dates.
Contact:
Phone Number: 901- 283 – 5193
E-mail: joshclark@lausanneschool.com